Login

Don't have an account?

Register

Paika Rebellion

In News: President of India laid the foundation stone of a memorial dedicated to the 1817 Paika Rebellion against the British in Odisha's Khordha district on September 27-28.

Background

In April 2017, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Paika Rebellion, the Prime Minister honoured descendants from 16 families that were associated with the uprising.

In July 2017, the Odisha government decided to formally ask the Centre to declare the rebellion as the “first war of independence in Indian history”.

In May 2018, after a review of school textbooks, the NCERT introduced a page on the Paika rebellion in the Class-8 history textbook.

In December 2018, the Central Government released a stamp and a coin to commemorate the rebellion.

Paika rebellion of 1817

Paikas had been recruited since the 16th century by kings in Odisha from a variety of social groups to render martial services in return for rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) and titles.

After entering Odisha in 1803, the British introduced new revenue settlements, due to which many Odia proprietors ended up losing their lands to absentee Bengali landlords.

Changes in the currency and revenue systems meant the Odias had to pay taxes in silver, which was more expensive for them, and resulted in their further marginalisation and oppression.

In 1817, some 400 Kondhs, who belonged to the state of Ghumsur, banded together to revolt against the British.

Bakshi (Commander) Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra Bhramaraber Ray was the military chief of the then Khordha Raja, who roused and led Paikas (peasant militia) and Kandhs (tribals) in a military attack on the British in 1817.

During the course of the rebellion, government buildings in Banapur were set on fire, policemen and British officials were killed, and the treasury was looted.

The uprising lasted for a few months but was eventually crushed by the better-equipped and trained forces of the East India Company.

After seven years of evading arrest, in May 1825, he surrendered in Cuttack and was granted a pension till he died in 1829.

Some Pre 1857 Rebellions:

Sepoy -Vellore mutiny in 1806, Bengal mutiny in 1764 etc.

Tribal - Santhal rebellion, Munda Rebellion, Kol Mutiny etc.

Civil - Ramosis uprising, Sawantwadi revolt, Poligar Revolt etc.

Read Also

Draft rules prohibit use of drones for delivery

Archaeologists using LIDAR Technology amidst Lockdown

Bankruptcy code gets suspended for 6 months

Close to 28% of Sunderbans damaged by Cyclone Amphan

Get connected with us on social networks!

Jatin Verma's IAS Academy

Jatin Verma's IAS Academy is an online platform to assist students in pursuing their dream of becoming a civil servant. We are dedicated to acquaint aspirants to the contemporary pattern of UPSC CSE and provide them with personalised mentorship as well as knowledge base enrichment.